Drums etc

January-February 1999, Touch, Dark Light Music DL 24004

Rick's name has popped up several times of late. The Toronto percussionist figures in some diverse and powerful ensembles. The current instance - actually a 1995 date - features regulars Collin Barrett and Lester Boyke on bass, Gordon Sheard on keys, and Hugh Marsh on violin. What distinguishes this from other virtuoso fusion /Latin outfits is that solos are kept in check, arrangements are squeaky tight, and there is virtually no clutter. Take, for example, "Sereia", featuring a joyous Brazillian-tinged melody riding on a rock solid foundation.

The percussion is instantly modern and traditional. Rick seems to have a good grasp of when to stick to indigenous rhythms and when to break the rules. A good example of the latter is Hugh Marsh's tune, "Toof Ache," which reminds of latter day Miles Davis.

You are in for a surprise if you have only heard Mark Kelso with Holly Cole. He gets a business like drum sound and pulls off flawless, difficult fills to set up transitions. All his notes are in the right spots - no mean feat when working with complex arrangements. The net effect is ease, belying the rehearsals that must have gone into this - and other - Montuno Police releases.

The Globe and Mail, Arts Weekend

by Mark Miller, Saturday, February 17, 1996

Touch

On Touch, the Toronto sextet plays fusion jazz with a pronounced World Beat flavour. In the matter of comparisons, the coarse frontline combination of Hugh Marsh's violin and John Johnson's reeds is unique and the band's noisy exuberance is a far cry from the synthesized slickness of its U.S. counterparts. If there's a similar outfit around, it's probably another Toronto band, Manteca, with which Lazar shares Johnson, keyboard player Gordon Sheard and, more generally, a honest night's work ethic. Lazar's rap tune, Yo Drummer, is a bit of an indulgence, but his various cross-cultural ventures, mapped out with Sheard's assistance, are dynamic — none more so on this strong debut CD than Arabian Knights.

The Toronto Star, Entertainment

by Geoff Chapman, December 16, 1995

Touch

One of the liveliest Toronto Latin bands is led by percussionist Lazar, who is always ready to explore other modes, as this varied, 13-number program indicates.

There are major roles for reedman John Johnson, drummer Mark Kelso, violinist Hugh Marsh and a plethora of guests. The weird shuffling lines of "Toof Ache", the worldbeaty "Arabian Knights" and pulsating deep fusion grooves are worth lots of play-time.

The Record, Kitchener, Ontario

by Robert Reid

Touch

Loreena McKennitt is an enormous talent. However, anyone who has followed her rise to international stardom cannot ignore the contributions of the Celtic performer's gifted back-up musicians, who are accomplished recording artists in their own right. Recent months have seen three of them — violinist Hugh Marsh, guitarist Brian Hughs and percussionist Rick Lazar — release excellent albums. Touch is Lazar's second album with the six-member Montuno Police, following the release of Bang in 1990. Joining Lazar are Collin Barrett on bass, Lester Boyke on percussion and John Johnson on woodwinds, in addition to Sheard, Kelso and Marsh. The 13 tracks, composed for the most part by various band members and arranged and produced by the band, also feature a number of musicians playing traditional instruments. Combining jazz improvisations and rap with the rhythmic influences of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Arabic music, Touch offersa rich blend of percussion-driven worldbeat syncopations that are as infectious as they are funky. The motto for Montuno Police is "one heart, one mind, one groove." The music couldn't be described more accurately.